Automatic shackle washer

ABSTRACT

Shackles are transported by an overhead conveyor through a housing. A pair of motor rotated brushes are mounted on opposite sides of the housing along the path of travel of the shackles. The brushes comprise a plurality of flexible fibers extending from a center axis. When at rest, the flexible fibers of the brushes tend to droop downwardly to form a clearance between the brushes so that the shackles may travel unimpeded between the brushes. When the brushes are rotated, the flexible fibers extend outwardly into contact with the shackles for cleaning thereof. Structure is provided to direct fluid upon the brushes and the shackles during operation of the system.

United States Patent Dillon 1451 May 30, 1972 541 AUTOMATIC SHACKLEWASHER 3,526,012 9/1970 Cirino 15/21 D [72] inventor: Janus J. DillonIrving, Tex 3,535,733 10/ 1970 Hama et al 17/24 [73] Assignee: FoodEquipment, Inc., Dallas, Tex. Primary EX n L- R r I Atmmey-Richards,Harris & Hubbard [22] F1led: Apr. 9, 1970 21 App]. No.1 26,892 ABSTRACTShackles are transported by an overhead conveyor through a 52 0.5. CI...15/21 1), 15/88 17/24 A Pair rotated brushes mum! W 5 1 1111. C1...A46b 13/02 Psite Sides musing the Path [58] Field of Search ..15/21 R21 D 21 E 77 88 shackles' The brushes cmPrise a plurality flexiblefibers 15/97 198 200 7n extending from a center axis. When at rest, theflexible fibers of the brushes tend to droop downwardly to form aclearance between the brushes so that the shackles may travel unim- 6 Rf t [5 1 e erences Cl ed peded between the brushes. When the brushes arerotated, the NI STATES PATENTS flexible fibers extend outwardly intocontact with the shackles for cleaning thereof. Structure is provided todirect fluid upon 2,329,555 9/1943 Polk, Sr ..l 5/3.l7 UX brushes andthe shackles during operation f the system 1,111,752 9/1914 L1chtensteinet a]. .....l98/229 3,284,828 11/1966 Jennings et a1 15/21 D 6 Claims, 3Drawing Figures PATENTEnmAvaomrz 3.665.539

' llll lllll Ill! II II 3' il 'ikli 34 ig rwlll INVENTOR: JANUS J.DILLON m ATTORNEY AUTOMATIC SHACKLE WASHER FIELD OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to cleaning techniques, and more particularly anapparatus wherein rotating brushes are utilized to clean shackles usedfor animal processing.

THE PRIOR ART Overhead conveyors are commonly used in animal processingplants to transport a plurality of shackles along a processing path.Animal carcasses are hung from the shackles and are then transportedthrough a series of processing stations. For example, in fowl processingplants, fowl are hung by the feet from shackles and are transportedthrough a killing station, a scalding or steam spray station and on to afeather picking station. The defeathered fowl are then removed from theshackles and the shackles are transported back to receive other fowl.

Such shackles during normal usage become covered with blood, feathers,fats and other deposits as a result of such processing steps.Additionally, the residue and contaminants collected by the shacklesoften tend to build up as permanent stains and coatings due to theexposure to scalding water and steam and then subsequently drying out.It is thus desirable to periodically clean such shackles forsanitation'purposes and also to prevent clogging of the moving parts ofthe conveyor and of the shackles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the invention,a pair of spaced apart brushes are disposed on opposite sides of ashackle conveying line. A motor rotates the brushes such that theperiphery of the brushes contacts shackles traveling along the conveyingline. Spray nozzles direct fluid upon the brushes and shackles to assistin the cleaning thereof. In accordance with another aspect of theinvention, a housing is provided for installation in an existing shackleline such that an overhead conveyor transports shackles through thehousing. A pair of brushes are mounted on opposite sides of the housingand comprise a plurality of flexible members extending from the centeraxis. The flexible members tend to droop downwardly when stationary toform a clearance between the brushes so that the shackles can travelunimpeded therebetween. A motor is provided to rotate the brushes suchthat the flexible members extend outwardly into contact with theshackles for cleaning thereof. Structure may also be provided to tripcertain types of shackles into an open position while traveling throughthe housing to facilitate cleaning of the shackle trip mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of thepresent invention and for further objects and advantages thereof,reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of the present shackle cleaning systemduring rotation of the cleaning brushes;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the housing shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the housing taken generally alongsection lines 3-3 in FIG. 2 with the brushes therein being at rest.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the shacklecleaning system of the invention is designated generally by the numeraland comprises a housing 12 constructed from galvanized or stainlesssteel sheet metal. The housing 12 includes an elongated upper portion 14which accommodates an overhead conveyor 16. Panels 18 extend outwardlyand downwardly from the upper portion 14 and join with sidewalls 20 tocomplete the housing. As shown in FIG. 1, one of the sidewalls 20 ispivoted at a pivot hinge 22 and is adapted to be opened for easyaccess'and cleaning of the housing 12.

The front of the housing 12 is enclosed by panels 24047, with the rearof the housing being enclosed by similar panels. A vertical slot openingextends from the upper portion 14 and between the panels 24a-b to allowthe passage of shackles depending from the overhead conveyor 16 throughthe housing. Each shackle includes a pair of rollers 26 from which issuspended a chain 28. Chain 28 and v the rollers 26 are propelled alongthe overhead conveyor by suitable chain towing structure. A clamp 30supports the shackle 32 in the conventional manner from the chain 28. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the shackle 32 comprises a conventionalautomatic shackle which may be positioned in either closed or openpositions. Such shackles are commercially available and essentiallycomprise a member 34 biased against a spring 36.

In the position of the member 34 illustrated as 34', the shackle is inthe closed position. A pair of tripper rods 38 are connected along thesides of the housing 12. As best shown in FIG. 2, each of the rodsbegins at an elevated position 40 and slopes downwardly to a maximumdepressed portion 42, after which the rods slope upwardly. As theshackles enter the housing 14, member 34 abuts with the underside of therods 38 and is depressed downwardly as the shackle travels through thehousing until the shackle is forced to its open position. The purposefor opening the shackles within the housing 12 is to better expose thetripping mechanism of the shackle for cleaning purposes. Upon furthertravel of the shackle through the housing 12, the upward curve of therods 38 allow the shackle to return to the closed position 34'.

A pair of brushes 44 and 46 are disposed on opposite sides of thehousing 12 on opposite sides of the travel path of the shackles. FIG. 3illustrates the configuration of the brushes 44 and 46 in theirstationary position. Each of the brushes comprises a cylindrical centermember 48 from which depend a large number of flexible brush fibers. Inthe preferred embodiment, the fibers comprise flexible plastic strandsjoined by one end to the cylindrical member 48. Due to the flexiblenature of the fibers, they tend to droop downwardly when the brushes 44and 46 are at rest. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, a space existsbetween the brushes 44 and 46 when at rest for unimpeded passage of theshackle 32. The present shackle washer may thus be installed in anexisting shackle line and will not interfere with the normal operationof the shackle line when cleaning is not desired.

FIG. 2 illustrates a gear motor 50 which is operable to rotate thebrushes 44 and 46. Output shaft 52 extends from the motor 50 and rotatesthe brushes 44 and 46. If desired, a single motor 50 may be utilizedwith suitable gearing to drive both brushes, but in other embodiments,two different motors may be utilized to drive the brushes. An axle 54passes through each of the cylindrical members 48 and are rotatablysupported by bearing supports '56 on the housing 12.

As best shown in FIG. 1, operation of the motor 50 causes rotation ofthe brushes 44 and 46. The rotation of the brushes causes the flexiblemembers of the brushes to become outwardly extending due to centrifugalforce. The edges of the flexible members thus contact and brush againstthe sides of the shackle 32 to effect cleaning thereof. In the preferredembodiment, the brushes 44 and 46 are rotated in opposite directions asillustrated by the arrows 60 and 62. The edge portion of the flexiblefibers of the brushes 44 and 46 move downwardly against the sides of theshackle 32 to prevent whipping of the chain 28 during operation of thecleaning system. The contact of the brushes 44 and 46 against the sidesof the shackles tends to remove debris and accumulated contaminantstherefrom.

Fluid is applied to the rotating brushes from conduits 64 and 66connected in the upper portion of the housing 12. The conduits comprisepipe members afiixed to the housing with a plurality of spray nozzlesspaced along the length thereof. The conduits are connected to a lowpressure source of fluid, such as a city water supply, and the nozzlesspray streams of water upon the rotating brushes. The fluid wets thebrushes and tends to make them heavier for a better cleaning eflectduring operation. Additionally, the fluid tends to rinse debris from thebrushes. Debris falls to the housing bottom 70 which is slanteddownwardly on both sides toward the middle. A drain 72 is connected tothe bottom 70 to eliminate waste from the system.

The present system is particularly adapted for use with a high pressurewater spray system such as the system disclosed in applicants copendingU.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 26,920, filed Apr. 9, 1970. In thepreferred embodiment, when both the high pressure water spray system andthe present brush system are installed in a conventional shackle line,the high pressure water spray system is turned on for one cycle of coldwater washing to remove the blood and most of the feathers from theshackles after the last fowl is hung therefrom. After the first cycle,warm water, with or without detergent added, is applied to the movingshackles and the present brush washer is started. The starting may bedone manually, or by suitable microswitch controls.

The brushes 44 and 46 begin rotating and remove or loosen the stains andcontaminants immediately before the shackles enter the high pressurespray enclosure. As the shackles move through the housing 12, thetripper rods 38 trip the shackles open to allow the brushes to removeany feathers or debris that are wedged in the tripper mechanism. Afterpassage through the rotating brushes of the invention, the shackles arethen conveyed through the high pressure spray where it is sprayed withwarm water for final removal of the debris. After the shackles aretransported through a suitable number of cycles through the cleaningsystem, the present rotating brush system is turned off, and the brushes44 and 46 fall to the position shown in FIG. 3 to allow unimpededpassage of the shackles during normal operation.

Whereas the present invention has been described with respect to aspecific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various changesand modifications will be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it isintended to encompass such changes and modifications as fall within thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A system for cleaning automatic shackles capable of being opened orclosed comprising:

a pair of spaced apart brushes for being disposed on opposite sides of ashackle conveying line,

means for rotating said brushes such that the brushes contact shacklestraveling along said conveying line,

means for directing fluid upon said brushes and shackles,

and

means for tripping said shackles to an opened position while saidshackles are traveling past said brushes.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said brushes comprise:

a cylindrical center member, and

a plurality of flexible fibers extending from said center member, saidflexible fibers tending to hang downwardly when at rest to define anopening for the passage of said shackles and said flexible fiberstending to extend outwardly from said center member upon rotation forcontacting said shackles.

3. A cleaning system for shackles adapted to be moved between open andclosed positions comprising:

a housing through which an overhead conveyor transports shackles,

a pair of brushes mounted on opposite sides of said housing, saidbrushes comprising a plurality of flexible members extending from acenter axis, said flexible members tending to droop downwardly whenstationary to form a clearance between said brushes for unimpeded travelof said shackles therethrough,

means for rotating said brushes such that said flexible members extendoutwardly into contact with said shackles for cleaning thereof, and

means for tripping said shackles to an opened position while travelingthrou h said housing. 4. The shackle c eamng system of claim 3 whereinsaid means for tripping comprises:

elongated bars extending along said housing and including downwardlyextending bend portions.

5. The shackle cleaning system of claim 3 and further comprising:

means for directing fluid upon said brushes during rotation thereof.

6. A shackle cleaning system comprising:

a housing through which an overhead conveyor transports shacklesdepending from chain means,

a pair of brushes mounted within said housing on opposite sides of theline of travel of said shackles, said brushes mounted for rotation abouta generally horizontal axis and comprising a plurality of flexiblemembers extending from a center axis, said flexible members tending todroop downwardly when stationary to form a clearance between saidbrushes for unimpeded travel of shackles therethrough,

means for selectively rotating said brushes in opposite directions toone another such that said flexible members extend outwardly and aremoved downwardly against said shackles for cleaning thereof, and

elongated conduits disposed within said housing on opposite sides of thepath of travel of said shackles and connected to a source of fluid, saidconduits including a plurality of apertures disposed therealong forspraying fluid downwardly upon said rotating brushes to facilitate thecleaning action of said brushes.

1. A system for cleaning automatic shackles capable of being opened orclosed comprising: a pair of spaced apart brushes for being disposed onopposite sides of a shackle conveying line, means for rotating saidbrushes such that the brushes contact shackles traveling along saidconveying line, means for directing fluid upon said brushes andshackles, and means for tripping said shackles to an opened positionwhile said shackles are traveling past said Brushes.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said brushes comprise: a cylindrical center member, anda plurality of flexible fibers extending from said center member, saidflexible fibers tending to hang downwardly when at rest to define anopening for the passage of said shackles and said flexible fiberstending to extend outwardly from said center member upon rotation forcontacting said shackles.
 3. A cleaning system for shackles adapted tobe moved between open and closed positions comprising: a housing throughwhich an overhead conveyor transports shackles, a pair of brushesmounted on opposite sides of said housing, said brushes comprising aplurality of flexible members extending from a center axis, saidflexible members tending to droop downwardly when stationary to form aclearance between said brushes for unimpeded travel of said shacklestherethrough, means for rotating said brushes such that said flexiblemembers extend outwardly into contact with said shackles for cleaningthereof, and means for tripping said shackles to an opened positionwhile traveling through said housing.
 4. The shackle cleaning system ofclaim 3 wherein said means for tripping comprises: elongated barsextending along said housing and including downwardly extending bendportions.
 5. The shackle cleaning system of claim 3 and furthercomprising: means for directing fluid upon said brushes during rotationthereof.
 6. A shackle cleaning system comprising: a housing throughwhich an overhead conveyor transports shackles depending from chainmeans, a pair of brushes mounted within said housing on opposite sidesof the line of travel of said shackles, said brushes mounted forrotation about a generally horizontal axis and comprising a plurality offlexible members extending from a center axis, said flexible memberstending to droop downwardly when stationary to form a clearance betweensaid brushes for unimpeded travel of shackles therethrough, means forselectively rotating said brushes in opposite directions to one anothersuch that said flexible members extend outwardly and are moveddownwardly against said shackles for cleaning thereof, and elongatedconduits disposed within said housing on opposite sides of the path oftravel of said shackles and connected to a source of fluid, saidconduits including a plurality of apertures disposed therealong forspraying fluid downwardly upon said rotating brushes to facilitate thecleaning action of said brushes.